EP1465482B1 - Animal trap - Google Patents

Animal trap Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1465482B1
EP1465482B1 EP03702068A EP03702068A EP1465482B1 EP 1465482 B1 EP1465482 B1 EP 1465482B1 EP 03702068 A EP03702068 A EP 03702068A EP 03702068 A EP03702068 A EP 03702068A EP 1465482 B1 EP1465482 B1 EP 1465482B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
diverter
trap
animal
entrance opening
barrier
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP03702068A
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German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1465482A1 (en
Inventor
David L. Anderson
Michael J. Gehret
David W. Swift
Christopher T. Rich
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Woodstream Corp
Original Assignee
Woodstream Corp
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Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US10/043,161 external-priority patent/US6609328B2/en
Priority claimed from US10/320,688 external-priority patent/US6735899B1/en
Application filed by Woodstream Corp filed Critical Woodstream Corp
Publication of EP1465482A1 publication Critical patent/EP1465482A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1465482B1 publication Critical patent/EP1465482B1/en
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01M—CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS; APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS
    • A01M23/00—Traps for animals
    • A01M23/38—Electric traps
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01M—CATCHING, TRAPPING OR SCARING OF ANIMALS; APPARATUS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS ANIMALS OR NOXIOUS PLANTS
    • A01M23/00—Traps for animals
    • A01M23/02—Collecting-traps
    • A01M23/04—Collecting-traps with tipping platforms

Definitions

  • This invention relates to electric or electronic animal traps, and relates more particularly to an animal trap adapted to catch and electrocute a targeted animal simultaneously stepping on a pair of spaced electrodes, with means designed to direct a targeted animal entering the trap housing into and through a pathway leading to a source of bait beyond the electrodes while minimizing the likelihood that the animal will back out or escape from the trap before engaging the electrodes, and while precluding accidental contact with the electrodes by a user, a pet or non-targeted animal that could inadvertently fire the trap.
  • Animal traps have been around for hundreds of years and include many different designs. Most common is the typical rodent snap trap that utilizes a spring and a snapping bar to kill the target animal. These designs can be unpleasant to handle and pose a danger to the consumer setting the trap.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,949,636 discloses a portable pest electrocution device with a resistive switch to sense the presence of a pest between a pair of electrodes.
  • One of the electrodes is set at a high voltage and the other is set to ground.
  • the ground electrode is a separate stake shaped electrode which is placed physically in the ground.
  • a timer begins for a set period of time. After timing out, the timer deactivates the power to the electrodes.
  • a problem with this device is that a separate ground stake is necessary. It is costly and cumbersome. If the user forgets or misplaces the separate ground stake, the device does not work correctly and thus will be useless.
  • an electric animal trap having a housing, entrance opening, pathway, first and second electrodes and electrical circuitry that activates the electrodes.
  • the trap does not deliver an alternating current until the pest has completely entered the trap and the door has fully closed behind it. This construction provides nothing to pique the pest's curiosity while also giving the pest an extended opportunity to escape.
  • Inclined plane animal traps have been available for over one hundred years.
  • the commercial embodiments of such traps currently available include a housing defining an enlarged enclosure with one, or perhaps two, inclined plane trap assemblies communicating the interior of the enclosure with the exterior of the housing via an elongated passageway.
  • An inclined plane tilting floor member is positioned in the passageway of each trap assembly and is adapted to lift a door to block an entrance opening when the rodent passes beyond a pivot point thereby limiting escape from the enclosure.
  • the door falls by gravity on the entrance end of the tilting floor to reset the trap and the raised end of the tilting floor limits the ability of a captured rodent to return to the passageway.
  • An electric or electronic animal trap whether of the inclined plane type or not, having means to discourage a target animal from escaping after entering the housing, or freeing itself before adequate electrical charge is applied for electrocution, would be highly desirable, particularly if it had limited moving parts and was protected against accidental injury to even inexperienced users.
  • a primary object of this invention is to provide an animal trap, particularly a mouse or rat trap, which will quickly and efficiently electrocute a targeted animal, is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and highly reliable and completely safe in use.
  • An important object of this invention is to provide an electric or electronic animal trap of the inclined plane type which has a door which closes mechanically as the circuit completes thus reducing the chances that children, pets or non-target species can inadvertently fire the trap and potentially cause harm to themselves.
  • Such a construction also creates a situation where there is only one possible outcome once a targeted animal enters the trap. Since the animal can not back out of the trap, it will complete the circuit resulting in its death.
  • a further object of this invention is to provide a unique inclined plane electric animal trap incorporating features that render the same essentially escape-proof because, for all practical purposes, once the animal steps into the trap, the inclined plane will tip and the animal will be electrocuted.
  • It is another object of the invention to provide an electric or electronic animal trap including a housing with a bottom wall, upstanding peripheral walls and a cover, together defining an enclosure for holding the targeted animal, with contacts on portions of the peripheral walls and cover adapted to open or "break" the circuitry when the cover is lifted, thereby avoiding accidental injury to a person contacting the electrodes when accessing the enclosure to add bait or to remove electrocuted animals.
  • a still further object of this invention is the provision of an inclined plane electric or electronic animal trap having unique circuitry and including, in a preferred embodiment, a diverter plate or the like making it difficult for an animal stepping from an electrified platform which functions as a first electrode to reverse direction as it contacts the second electrode at the end of the platform.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide an electric or electronic animal trap which, in some of its embodiments, eliminates the sometimes problematic operation and effectiveness of the inclined plane or tilting floor animal trap construction altogether and replaces the same with a fixed barrier or diverter system that has no moving parts and, while minimizing or preventing escape of the animal, totally precludes the accidental simultaneous engagement of the electrodes and actuation of the circuitry by blocking the pathway between the entrance opening and at least the second electrode to preclude the introduction of an extraneous element by an inexperienced or curious user.
  • Yet another object of this invention is to provide a mouse or rat trap comprising at least a pair of spaced, oppositely angled, barrier elements immediately within the entrance opening, diverting a target animal into a maze-like path as it passes into the trap because of its innate curiosity or to seek a quantity of bait, such as peanut butter or the like, positioned beyond the electrodes.
  • a target animal Once the animal passes the first barrier, it no longer sees the opening and is encouraged to simply move forward, rather than to attempt to back out or escape from the trap before engaging and actuating the electronic circuitry.
  • the same barrier system that minimizes the likelihood of escape of the target animal also bars the entry of a relatively straight element such as screwdriver or a child's finger that could accidentally close die circuit and injure the trap user and/or damage the trap.
  • a further object of this invention is to provide a trap of the type described either with the angled diverters or the inclined plane, but incorporating a plate or the like extending downwardly from the housing cover intermediate the spaced electrodes that provides limited space between its lower edge and the floor of the housing to force a target animal to squeeze thereunder making it more difficult for the animal to reverse itself when it contacts the second electrode.
  • a still further object of this invention is to incorporate a pair of cooperating diverters or barriers, one extending partway down to the floor from the cover and the other extending partway up from the floor toward the cover which together block direct access to the electrodes by a straight element inserted through the entrance opening.
  • the instant invention provides an electric or electronic animal trap which, in all embodiments, is highly efficient and reliable, providing excellent protection against inadvertent or accidental damage to the user of the trap or the trap itself.
  • portions of a prior art animal trap are designated generally by the reference numeral 20 with an inclined plane trap assembly designated generally by the reference numeral 25 therewithin.
  • a housing 22 includes peripheral walls, a portion of one sidewall being illustrated at 23, a bottom wall 24, and an openable cover (not shown) together defining an enlarged enclosure, generally shown at 21, for retaining one or more captured animals.
  • the inclined plane trap assembly 25 includes sides, one of which is shown at 26 (and may be a portion of the side wall 23 of the housing 22), and a roof 27 which, together with a portion of the bottom wall 24 of the housing 22 define an elongated passageway 30.
  • an entrance opening 32 communicating with the exterior of the housing 22 and, at the other end of the passageway 30, is a back wall 34 communicating with the holding chamber 21 defined by the housing 22.
  • a floor member 40 extends along the length of the passageway 30 intermediate the sides thereof, with first end portions 42 juxtaposed to the entrance opening 32 and opposite second end portions 44 juxtaposed to the back wall 34.
  • a pivot element 45 is fixed between the sides of the trap assembly 25 in any conventional manner and underlies and supports the floor member 40 intermediate its end portions 42, 44.
  • a counterweight 46 is secured to the underside of the first end portions 42 of the floor member 40 to manually bias the floor member 40 to a first or "open" position, shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 , in which the first end portions 42' are lowered and the second end portions 44' are raised.
  • the pivot element 45 is offset toward the first end portions 42 to define a greater lever arm from the second end portions of the floor member 40 so that when an animal, such as the mouse or rat illustrated schematically at 50, passes the pivot element 45 on its way to the back wall 34 wherein bait can be placed, the floor member 40 is tilted to a second or "closed" position, shown in solid lines in Figure 1 , in which the first end portions 42 are lowered and the second end portions 44 are raised.
  • a door member 60 has bottom edge portions 62 and a top edge 64.
  • a hinge element 65 pivotally secures the bottom edge portions 62 of the door member 60 adjacent to the entrance opening 32 for movement of the door member 60 between a lowered position, shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 , in which the door member 60' rests primarily on the first end portions 42' of the floor member 40' when the floor member 40' is in its first position, to provide access to the passageway 30 by a targeted animal 50 through the entrance opening 32, and a raised position, shown in solid lines in Figure 1 , in which the door member 60 is lifted by movement of the first end portions 42 of the floor member 40 when the floor member 40 is moved from its first position to its second position by the weight of the animal 50 on the second end portions 44 of the floor member 40.
  • the door member 60 When the door member 60 is in its raised position as shown in solid lines in Figure 1 it tends to block any attempt by the animal 50 to return to the entrance opening 32 and, thereby, escape from the trap.
  • the upper edge 64 of the door member 60 engages the undersurface of the roof 27 of the trap assembly 25 before the door member 60 reaches a vertical orientation.
  • the weight of the door member 60 biases the door member 60 about the hinge element 65 toward its lowered position.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of an electronic animal trap 120.
  • a housing 122 is formed entirely of plastic, including the portions defining the passageway 130, only the inclined plane tilting floor member 140 and its pivot element 145 and the door member 160 and its hinge element 162, preferably being formed of metal.
  • the bottom plate 190 is also metal to facilitate electrical contact.
  • the housing 122 has a bottom wall 124, upstanding peripheral walls 126, and a roof 127.
  • the roof 127 includes a cover 128 which carries a switch or button 152.
  • the switch 152 toggles from an "on” or standby position to an "off” or reset position.
  • the trap 120 is activated by way of the switch 152.
  • an LED 154 is mounted on the cover 128 and electrically connected to the trap.
  • the LED 154 turns “on” during activation of the trap and provides a visual indication to the user.
  • the cover 128 extends over an electronics area generally indicated with numeral 180 with a battery lid 129.
  • the battery lid 129 covers an area 182 which contains a power supply 184.
  • a single roof it has been contemplated to further simplify the assembly by using a single roof.
  • the bottom wall or base 124, peripheral wall 126, back wall 134 and roof 127 together defining an enclosure for holding the targeted animal. Portions of the housing are movable between a closed position in which the captured animal is retained within the enclosure, and an opened position in which access is provided to the enclosure to remove electrocuted the animal therefrom.
  • the roof 127 may pivotally rotate about hinges 135, 136 to open the trap for disposal of the carcass of an electrocuted animal.
  • the inclined plane trap assembly includes outer side 126 and a parallel inner side 137 defining the elongated passageway 130.
  • An entrance opening 132 at one end of the passageway 130 communicates with the exterior of the housing through an aperture in one of the peripheral walls of the housing.
  • a back wall 134 at the other end of the of the passageway 130 is one of the peripheral walls.
  • the trap assembly further includes a floor member 140 extending along the passageway 130 intermediate the sides.
  • the floor member 140 has a first end portion 142 juxtaposed to the entrance opening 132 and an opposite second end portion 144 juxtaposed to the back wall 134.
  • a pivot element 145 underlies and supports the floor member 140 intermediate its end portions for tilting movement of the floor member 140 between a first position in which the first end portion 142 is lowered and the second end portion 144 is raised and a second position in which the first end portion 142 is raised and the second end portion 144 is lowered.
  • a floor galvanized pin or carbon steel wire 147 extends through pivot 145 for permitting floor 140 to rotate or, more specifically, to perform a teeter-totter effect.
  • a door member 160 has bottom edge portions 162 and a top edge 164 with a hinge element 165 secured to the bottom edge portions 162 adjacent to the entrance opening 132 for pivotal movement of the door member 160 between a lowered position in which the door member 160 rests on the first end portions 142 of the floor member 140 when the floor member 140 is in its first position to provide access to the passageway 130 by a targeted animal through the entrance opening 132 and a raised position where the door member 160 blocks the entrance opening 132.
  • a door galvanized pin or carbon steel wire 167 extends through hinge element 165 for permitting door 160 to rotate.
  • the door member 160 is biased toward its lowered position because the top edge 164 engages the roof 127 before it reaches a vertical position.
  • the weight 146 of the door member 160 on the first end portion of the floor member 140 when the door member is in its lowered position maintains the floor member 140 in its first position, and the weight of an animal on the floor member 140 tilts the floor member 140 to its second position when the animal 150 passes from the entrance opening 132 beyond the pivot element 165 to thereby lift the door member 160 to its raised position. This is a teeter-totter movement of the floor member 140.
  • a power supply 184 provides power to the trap.
  • the supply 184 can be two AA batteries or some other combination. Additionally, it has been contemplated the trap could be electrically connected to a wall outlet
  • the power supply 184 in the battery form sits in the power supply area 182.
  • the battery cover 129 is snap fitted for easy entering of the area 182 to replace expired batteries.
  • a bottom plate 170 is positioned near the back wall 134 and extends parallel to the bottom wall 124. A portion of the bottom plate 170 is in physical contact with the floor member 140 when the floor member 140 is moved from its first position to its second position.
  • a circuit member 186 is electrically connected to the power supply 184 to convert the power to electricity.
  • a floor electrical connection member 188 receives the electricity from the circuit member 186.
  • the floor electrical connection member 188 also connects to the floor member 140 so that electricity can be provided to the floor member 140.
  • This member 188 is primarily a wire which is soldered at or near the pivot 145.
  • a similar wire forms a bottom electrical connection member 190.
  • This wire 190 is for receiving the electricity from the circuit member 186 and for connecting to the bottom plate 170 near the back wall 134 at connection point 192.
  • This bottom electrical connection member 190 provides electricity to the bottom plate 170.
  • the weight of the animal 150 on the floor member tilts the floor member to its second position.
  • its weight lifts the door member 160 to the raised position and blocks the animal 150 from leaving the trap.
  • the bottom plate 170 electrically contacts the floor member 140 causing electricity to flow through the bottom plate 170 and to the floor member 140, thus completing the circuit This in turn, electrocutes the animal 150 which is in contact with the floor member 140.
  • Figure 6 illustrates a block diagram of the electrical circuit
  • Figure 7 illustrates the same circuit in schematic form.
  • the circuit member 186 in the form of either batteries such as two AA batteries or else from an electrical outlet, six volts are added to the R7, D11 and UAB, U4C power up circuit member 186 to trigger Q1 and make the LED circuit 102 flash once.
  • the circuit member 186 is formed by high voltage output transformer, metal plate 140, kill metal plate 170, and the circuit formed by R13, D2, R1, and U1B.
  • trigger U1B pin 5 and then pin 4 of U1B outputs a negative pulse 106 to trigger the timing circuit 104.
  • the timing circuit 104 formed by U3 (a 7555 timer) and the related components, receives the negative pulse 106, then the circuit 104 turns on for 20 seconds and pin 3 (OUTPUT) will output a logic high signal to trigger U4F and also trigger the pulse generator circuit (U4E, U4D), then a pulse 108 will drive the transistor Q2 and Q2 will drive the power mosfet IRF741. At this point, the transformer will step up the output pulse to about 2.5-3KV to instantaneously kill the mouse 150. During the same period, the oscillator circuit UAA, C7, rG will drive the transistor Q1 which in turn causes a 5 second flash timer 108 to generate the LED flash at the end of the period.
  • a self latching circuit 110 is also provided. Once the circuit member 186 is triggered by mouse 150 and the circuit member 186 starts the kill period, then the circuit can not be triggered again due to the self latch circuit 110 formed by U1A, U1D, U4F.
  • the self latching circuit 110 will hold down the trigger signal so that the entire unit must be powered off first and then on again by way of switch 152 to put the unit into reset. Normally, during this time, the carcass can and should be removed from the trap. Once the carcass is removed the trap can be reset and ready to operate again.
  • a housing for the various trap embodiments of this invention is illustrated at 220 in Figure 1 and can be formed of plastic, metal or other suitable material.
  • the housing 220 includes a base 225 and a simple cover 230 hingedly secured thereto in a well known manner.
  • the base 225 is divided longitudinally by a separator 235 to provide compartments on one side for reception of the electronic circuitry (not shown in this Figure) at 240 and batteries (not shown) at 245.
  • circuitry and energizing source are not critical to the various embodiments of this invention although the above-described circuitry is particularly useful in the traps of this invention. However, it is to be understood that other circuitry may be substituted therefore without departing from the broader aspects of the instant inventive concepts and, additionally, as an alternative to the use of batteries, appropriate means can be included to energize the trap from an a-c source or even an external d-c source. Additionally, a pair of contacts (not shown) can be incorporated in the base 225 and cover 230 so that when the cover 230 is lifted to access the interior of the base 225, the circuit is broken to preclude injury to the user.
  • FIG. 9-11 One form of two-diverter trap according to this invention is illustrated in Figures 9-11 and includes a pair of spaced charge plates or electrodes 250, 252 located in the "killing" chamber 255 and electrically connected in a well-known manner to the electronic circuitry so that contact with both charge plates simultaneously by a target animal will actuate an electronic charge to effectively kill the animal.
  • a principle feature of this embodiment of the instant invention is the mechanism by which an animal entering the trap is directed along a tortuous path or maze to make contact with the charge plates 250, 252.
  • a pathway is defined between the side wall 226 of the housing base 225 and the separator 235 from the trap opening entrance 260 to a bait receiving location 265, with the charge plates 250, 252 interposed in this path.
  • Openings such as 226' in the side wall, or elsewhere such as the openings 230a' seen in the cover of Figures 12 and 13 , may be provided to permit the odor of bait, if any, to exude to the atmosphere and attract the animal to the trap.
  • this embodiment of the instant invention substitutes at least two fixed barriers or diverter members 270, 275 positioned between the opening 260 and the killing chamber 255.
  • the diverter 270 has one end 272 fixed to the side wall 226 of the base 225, and extends at approximately a 45° angle toward the killing chamber, with the end 274 stopping short of the separator 235 to define a space "a" therebetween for passage of an animal.
  • the second diverter 275 has one end 276 fixed to the separator 235, and extends at approximately an oppositely directed 45° angle toward the killing chamber, with its second end 278 spaced from the side wall 226 by a distance "b", again sufficient for an animal to pass through.
  • Each of the diverters 270,275 extend upwardly at least substantially the full height of the side walls of the housing 225 so as to preclude an animal passing over the tops thereof when the cover 230 is closed.
  • the end or edge portions 274 of the first diverter 270 and the end or edge portions 278 of the second diverter 275 overlap so that an animal entering the trap opening 260 does not have a clear view along the pathway, but must pass through a "maze" formed at "a" and "b" to reach the bait 265. Since mice and other such small animals are curious and attracted to dark spaces, the pathway from the opening 260 will entice them into the trap housing, whether a bait is present or not. However, placement of a quantity of odoriferous material such as peanut butter at the end 265 of the pathway will further attract the animal into the killing chamber 255.
  • the animal Once the animal passes the first diverter 270 on its way to the space "b", it no longer has a clear view of the opening 260 behind it and is discouraged from reversing its direction.
  • the animal As the animal progresses along the pathway from the opening 260, through the spaces "a" and "b" toward the bait-receiving area 265, it will step onto the charge plates 250, 252, which are slightly spaced apart, but close enough that the animal must contact both plates simultaneously before reaching the bait at 265.
  • the circuit Upon doing so, the circuit will be closed by the animal's body and an electrical charge will kill the animal.
  • the barrier 275 also acts as a blocking mechanism inhibiting the animal from retreating from contact with the charge plates 250, 252 after the initial shock, insuring continued contact until the animal is electrocuted.
  • the cover 230 can then be opened to break the circuit and dispose of the animal, following which the trap can be reused in an obvious manner.
  • barriers or diverters are shown at 270,275 and for all practical purposes, this is sufficient to effect both the maze-like pathway and to protect against accidental contact with both of the charge plates 250, 252, from a straight element such as a screwdriver or the like (not shown), additional barriers can be included to render the path even more tortuous without diverging from the instant inventive concepts.
  • the base 225a of the trap 220a is identical to the base 225 of the trap 220.
  • the cover 230a of the trap 220a differs from the cover 230 of the trap 220 in having affixed to the underside thereof a third diverter or barrier 280 which is positioned along the length of the cover 230a to extend into the space between the electrodes 250, 252 when the cover 230a is pivoted to its closed position.
  • the height h of the barrier 280 is less than the height h' of the side walls of the housing 225a to provide a limited space between the lower edge 280' of the barrier 280 and the floor of the base 225a to force a target animal to squeeze under the barrier 280 as it moves toward the bait.
  • the diverter 280 is preferably carried by an openable cover, it could be carried by a fixed cover if access to the chamber for disposing of the electrocuted carcasses is provided elsewhere, or, for that matter, it could be fixed to the sides of the pathway. While it is evident that a diverter such 280 is best used in conjunction with the angled diverters as shown in Figures 12 and 13 , it has independent utility in minimizing escape from an electric or electronic trap of other constructions. See, for example, the discussion below of the embodiments of Figures 14 and 15 and Figures 16 and 17 .
  • mice Five field mice were placed in an arena measuring 4 x 8 x 3 ft (width by length by height). Within the arena, a shelter containing shredded paper towels was placed at one end. On the opposite end of the arena, a food (Purina lab chow) and water source were placed. The 5 mice were then allowed to acclimate for a period of 8 hours within this arena. During this period, the lights were left "on" to simulate daytime. At the end of this period, the corresponding test traps were placed into the arena for a period of approximately 16 hours. All traps were baited with creamy peanut butter (Shur-Fine brand). During this time, the lights were turned “off” to simulate nighttime. Five traps were placed in each arena with each arena considered a replication. Three arenas were used during each testing period.
  • the traps were evaluated based on three criteria: (1) Kill rate (the number of mice killed divided by total number of traps); (2) Escape rate (where the mouse has triggered the trap but was not killed); and (3) Interaction (the total number visited by mice resulting in either a kill or escape).
  • Kill Rate The traps with two and three diverters had mean kill rates of 83.4% and 100%, respectively, compared to 43.4% for traps without diverters. When analyzed using a t -test at 95% probability, the kill rate of the traps with two and three diverters was significantly greater than the traps with no diverters. (See Tables 1-3)
  • the traps were identical to each other with the exception of the two and three diverters, yet the trap with the diverters performed significantly better, killing more mice with fewer escapes without significantly reducing interaction.
  • the diverters reduce the escape rate.
  • the mouse moves slowly. When it touches the second plate and gets shocked, it is able to back off.
  • the second diverter acts as a barrier, preventing the mouse from retreating. In one instance, there was fur observed on one of the diverters of the trap that had an escape, indicating that the barrier did interfere with the retreat of the mouse.
  • the second theory is based on the space in the trap.
  • the diverters restrict the movement of the mouse until it gets close to the second plate and peanut butter. At this point, the trap opens up to the entire width of the tunnel. It is believed that the mouse is more tentative in the confined space in the diverter areas, but once it sees the open space and the peanut butter, it is more willing to commit. With more of the momentum of the mouse going forward, it is less likely for it to retreat once the shock is triggered.
  • the base 225b of the trap 220b is identical to the base 225 of the trap 220 or the base 225a of the trap 220a, with the exception that the angled diverters have been eliminated.
  • the cover 2230b is identical to the cover 230a and includes a downwardly extending plate or barrier 280b positioned along its length to fit in the space between the electrodes 250b, 252b when the cover 230b is pivoted to its closed position.
  • the trap 220b includes an upwardly extending plate or barrier 282 interposed between the entrance opening 260b and the downwardly depending plate 280b.
  • each of the plates 280b, 282 is less than the height h' of the side walls of the housing 225b to provide a limited space over the upper edge 282' of the plate 282 and under the lower edge 280b' of the plate 280b for the target animal to pass.
  • the upper edge 282' of the plate 282 is spaced from the floor of the housing 225b by a distance greater than the distance from the lower edge 280b' of the plate 280b whereby the plates 280b, 282 together define a barrier blocking simultaneous access to the electrodes 250b, 252b from a straight element passing through the entrance opening 260b.
  • the limited space between the downwardly depending plate 280b and the floor of the housing 225b forces the target animal to squeeze thereunder making it almost impossible for the animal to pull back once its front paws have contacted the second electrode 252b.
  • the upwardly extending plate 282 also functions to discourage a target animal from reversing its path because of the difficulty in squeezing back through the space between the upper edge 282' of the plate 282 and the undersurface of the cover 230b.
  • Figures 16 and 17 is included to illustrate that, even if an inclined plane or tilting platform assembly is incorporated in a trap according to the instant invention, the inclusion of a cover of the type seen in Figure 12 , including a downwardly extending plate which is positioned intermediate the electrode members when the cover is closed, enhances the effectiveness of the trap by minimizing the likelihood that the target animal can back away from the second electrode before it is electrocuted.
  • parts similar to the previous embodiments are designated by the same reference numeral followed by the suffix "c”.
  • the trap 220c is very similar to the trap 220a of Figures 12 and 13 , with the exception that an inclined plane or tilting platform assembly 300 is incorporated adjacent the entrance opening 260c.
  • the inclined plane trap assembly 300 includes a platform element 302 having a first end portion 304 juxtaposed to the entrance opening 260c and a second end portion 306 juxtaposed to the second electrode 252c.
  • a pivot element (not shown) underlies and supports the platform element 302 intermediate its end portions 304, 306 for tilting movement of the platform element 302 in a well known manner between a first position in which the first end portion 304 is lowered and the second end portion 306 is raised, and a second position in which the first end portion 304 is raised and the second end portion 306 is lowered.
  • a door member 308 is hinged at its lower edge 308' adjacent to the entrance opening 260c for pivotal movement between a lowered position in which the door member 308 rests on the first end portion 304 of the platform element 302 when the platform element is in its first position to provide access to the passageway by a target animal through the entrance opening 260c, and a raised position in which the door member 308 is lifted by upward movement of the first end portion 304 of the platform element 302 when the platform element 302 is moved from its first position to its second position.
  • the door member 308 is biased toward its lowered position under the force of gravity, the weight of the door member 308 on the first end portion 304 of the platform element 302 when the door member 308 is in its lowered position normally maintaining the platform element 302 in its first position.
  • the weight of a target animal on the second end portion 306 of the platform element 302 tilts the platform element 302 to its second position when the target animal passes from the entrance opening 260c beyond the pivot element thereby lifting the door member 308 to its raised position, blocking escape through the entrance opening 260c by a target animal on the platform element 302.
  • the platform element 302 is connected to the circuitry (not shown) to electrify the same to function as a first electrode.
  • An insulator 310 in the form of a plastic or rubber element underlies the second end portion 306 of the platform element 302 so that the target animal is only shocked when its rear paws are on the platform element 302 and its front paws are on the second electrode 252c.
  • the platform element 302 in either of its positions, blocks simultaneous contact with both of the electrodes by a straight element passing through the entrance opening 260c.
  • the downwardly depending plate 280c is interposed between the end portion 306 of the platform element 302 and the second electrode 252c, forcing a target animal to squeeze under the lower edge 280c' of the plate 280c in its attempt to get to the bait. In doing so, it must then step on the second electrode 252c and, for all intents and purposes, is precluded from pulling back before the circuitry is closed by the animal's body and the animal is electrocuted.
  • At least one diverter member is interposed in the pathway from the entrance opening along the interior of the housing to the second electrodes to discourage a target animal approaching the second electrode from reversing direction.
  • at least one barrier member is provided to block simultaneous contact with both of the electrodes by a straight element passing through the entrance opening.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Pest Control & Pesticides (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Insects & Arthropods (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
  • Medicines Containing Material From Animals Or Micro-Organisms (AREA)
  • Medicines Containing Plant Substances (AREA)
  • Farming Of Fish And Shellfish (AREA)
EP03702068A 2002-01-14 2003-01-13 Animal trap Expired - Lifetime EP1465482B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US43161 1993-04-05
US10/043,161 US6609328B2 (en) 2002-01-14 2002-01-14 Electronic animal trap
US10/320,688 US6735899B1 (en) 2002-12-17 2002-12-17 Animal trap
US320688 2002-12-17
PCT/US2003/000858 WO2003059057A1 (en) 2002-01-14 2003-01-13 Animal trap

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1465482A1 EP1465482A1 (en) 2004-10-13
EP1465482B1 true EP1465482B1 (en) 2008-04-16

Family

ID=26720102

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03702068A Expired - Lifetime EP1465482B1 (en) 2002-01-14 2003-01-13 Animal trap

Country Status (10)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1465482B1 (ja)
JP (1) JP4029073B2 (ja)
CN (1) CN1649491B (ja)
AT (1) ATE392145T1 (ja)
AU (1) AU2003202954B2 (ja)
BR (1) BRPI0306894B1 (ja)
CA (1) CA2479833C (ja)
DE (1) DE60320367T2 (ja)
MX (1) MXPA04009440A (ja)
WO (1) WO2003059057A1 (ja)

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6836999B2 (en) * 2003-05-05 2005-01-04 Woodstream Corporation CPU-controlled, rearming, high voltage output circuit for electronic animal trap
US7690147B2 (en) * 2007-07-09 2010-04-06 Woodstream Corporation Rearming electronic animal trap with baffle, mechanical switch and multiple-killing-plate configuration
DK178531B1 (da) * 2013-12-02 2016-06-06 Wisecon As Fælde
GB2551697B (en) * 2016-06-17 2020-10-28 Smam Ltd A rodent box
US11252952B2 (en) 2017-01-10 2022-02-22 Oms Investments, Inc. Rodent trap having a pivoting platform
USD847295S1 (en) 2017-01-10 2019-04-30 Oms Investments, Inc. Rodent trap
ES2875341T3 (es) * 2017-06-29 2021-11-10 Woodstream Corp Trampa electrónica para ratas con estructura de barrera interna
CA3087054C (en) * 2017-12-26 2024-03-19 Woodstream Corporation Electronic rodent trap with voltage booster circuit for improved trap performance over the life of the battery
CN110583613B (zh) * 2019-10-08 2024-04-16 中国人民解放军疾病预防控制中心 一种静电驱动的连续灭鼠器

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR893117A (fr) * 1943-04-06 1944-05-31 Piège électrocuteur
US3197916A (en) * 1963-02-11 1965-08-03 Jr Samuel L Cole Electric animal trap
US4205480A (en) * 1978-08-14 1980-06-03 Wilson Consolidated Enterprises, Ltd. Rodent trap
US5269091A (en) 1992-04-29 1993-12-14 Agrizap, Inc. Portable pest electrocution device
US5369907A (en) * 1994-01-24 1994-12-06 Lee; Dug G. Rodent electrocution trap
WO1995033372A1 (en) 1994-06-07 1995-12-14 Agrizap, Inc. A portable pest electrocution device with resistive switch sensor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2479833C (en) 2008-11-18
BR0306894A (pt) 2004-12-14
DE60320367T2 (de) 2009-05-20
AU2003202954B2 (en) 2008-09-11
CN1649491B (zh) 2010-10-20
ATE392145T1 (de) 2008-05-15
DE60320367D1 (de) 2008-05-29
EP1465482A1 (en) 2004-10-13
MXPA04009440A (es) 2005-07-27
AU2003202954A2 (en) 2003-07-30
CN1649491A (zh) 2005-08-03
AU2003202954A1 (en) 2003-07-30
JP4029073B2 (ja) 2008-01-09
WO2003059057A1 (en) 2003-07-24
CA2479833A1 (en) 2003-07-24
BRPI0306894B1 (pt) 2020-11-10
JP2005514925A (ja) 2005-05-26

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